The bodies were discovered on Friday under a tree in the west of the island, which is currently experiencing thunderstorms and heavy rain.

According to initial investigations, the cause of death was “electrocution”, Ajaccio public prosecutor Nicolas Septe told the AFP news agency.

An enquiry has been opened to clarify what happened. On Saturday, the remains of the victims – found by coastguards in Vico, some twenty kilometres north of Corsican capital Ajaccio – will be examined to confirm this hypothesis and the exact date of death; the public prosecutor estimated it was about 24 hours before the bodies were recovered. …